[EricH]

Originally Posted by Brandon_L

Pesky CG, I knew I left something out. This formula would give you an arm that balances at 90 degrees though, no? What about something angular?

It would work for angular. HOWEVER, the distances will change in that case. They'll become closer to the pivot point. There will also be a change in the force vector of the balancer relative to the arm--could be in terms of magnitude; almost certainly a direction will change.

It's kind of hard to explain without going through a diagram. I've attached one with the main equations you'd need for two positions--note that they're the same equations for both positions, but the numbers WILL be different. You use a lot of components when you're working at angles (the component of force in the Y direction, for example).